Back in 2011, I leaned wholeheartedly into what had always been second nature to me: reading, writing, and revising. Since then, I’ve had the blessed opportunity to coach thousands of fiction and nonfiction writers. The 4-H motto I embraced as a young person, “to make the best better,” still echoes in my life today, shaping how I teach, encourage, and support others in their writing journeys.

When not indulging my addiction to reading and wordsmithing, I can be found somewhere in Northern Colorado hanging out with my best friend and husband—or off visiting our kids and grandkids in DC, Denver, or Dallas. Throughout our 43+ years together, animals have nearly always been a part of our story, even during our time in Korea and Germany. It’s been mostly dogs, a few cats, and the occasional unexpected additions to the menagerie that “followed” our kids home. Once, that even included a horse—though I have to admit I instigated that one.

Education:

• Master of Humanities: Tiffin University

• Master of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction: Colorado Christian University

• Graduate level certificates (Corporate Training, Instructional Technology, Online Teaching & Learning, Online Curriculum and Development): Colorado Christian University

• Bachelor of Science in Housing & the Near Environment: Iowa State University

Experience:

• Freelance Editor/Writing coach: Colorado

• College course design team subject matter expert for creative writing courses: Colorado

• College Adjunct/Affiliate Faculty: Creative fiction/nonfiction writing, investigative writing: Colorado

  Before 2011, I did many things to include:

• University enrollment counselor: Colorado

• Interior designer: New York/Colorado

• Domestic engineer: Missouri/Colorado/Georgia

• Base commander administrative assistant: Bindlach, Germany

• Volunteer/organizer/president of the Wives of the DMZ: Sonyuri, South Korea *unsanctioned by the US Army

• Realtor: Texas

  Other odd jobs from my earlier years:

• Family farm worker, touring character performer for a Disney traveling production, horseback trail guide, car repo agent, and Home Depot merchandiser.